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Wednesday, March 15, 2017

Blog Tour + #Giveaway: Celtic Fire by Liz Gavin @LizGavin_author @XpressoTours


Celtic Fire
Liz Gavin
(Highland Celts Series, #1)
Publication date: January 31st 2017
Genres: Adult, Historical, Paranormal Romance

This is a standalone, historical/paranormal romance. Its mature themes – violence, religious war, and pagan rituals – might not be appropriate for audiences under 18.

When ancient gods ruled and Druids kept Faith alive, the Celts thrived as a democratic, matriarchal society. Then savage Roman soldiers swept across Europe, killing and enslaving. The Celts did not succumb without a fight. Their Old Ways survived centuries of ruthless domain until another menace loomed: a tortured god worshiped in cold stone buildings. The sacred shores of Avalon began to drift away, the mists threatened to hide the island from mortal eyes forever.

Against the bleak backdrop of war, the gorgeous Scottish Highlands stood tall, sheltering its inhabitants from greedy invaders. Yet the reach of the eagle banners was long and the highlanders turned to the Goddess for protection. However, the sacred groves felt silent and grim as Avalon faded away. Once sad, pealing bells began to sound strangely comforting while the high walls of monasteries offered an alluring barrier from violence. Caught in the middle of this centuries-old war, a young High Priestess might be Avalon’s last chance.

Wise beyond her years and powerful like no other Priestess in her lifetime, Rowen had served the Goddess faithfully, forsaking her family and the company of her soulmate. When the Lady of the Lake asks for another sacrifice, it might be one too many for her scarred heart. How could she obey the Goddess without betraying Caddaric? Could she trust Eochaid, who embodied everything she despised and hated? Would she be able to fulfill her duties without losing her soul?

Caddaric had been Rowen’s companion in countless lives; but, now, they existed in different realms. Beautiful Rowen lived in the mortal world while sweet Caddaric remained in the sacred isle of Avalon, watching over her. Could he step aside to allow another man – a flesh and blood man – to become her protector?

Eochaid had sworn to protect the Old Ways. The rude warrior never quite understood his faith yet his loyal heart belonged to the Goddess. A gorgeous, fiery High Priestess was not in his plans. He would risk his life to protect Rowen; but, would the Goddess safeguard his heart? Could he defend the bewitching maiden from himself?

When stakes were so high that a simple mistake could cost their very world, a priestess, a Druid, and a warrior must learn to trust each other and the mysterious ways of the Goddess. Their success would save Avalon. Their failure would tear the island from the human realm forever, condemning it to oblivion.

Failure was not an option.

Grab it now to FREE!
From March 5th to 9th only!


Guest Post:

Do the characters all come to you at the same time or do some of them come to you as you write?

That’s is a very good question. I’ve been an indie writer since 2013, and so far, the main character – or characters – in the stories came first, then secondary ones popped up as I wrote. In one case, my second novel Luck of the Irish, a secondary character became the main antagonist in the story. In fact, a creepy psycho, but that’s how villains should be, right? LOL

With Celtic fire, however, things were different. As I mentioned before, I decided to start self-publishing in 2013 and the very first time I sat down to write something, the main plot and characters in Celtic Fire came to life. I guess they had been living in my head for too long. Probably, since I read Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley in the late 80s and fell in love with the Celtic culture. Back in the 90s, I wrote about the places connected with Arthurian legends in the United Kingdom for my final paper for my first BA degree. Through the years, I’ve researched more on the topic, which has always been a favorite of mine. Moreover, the idea of reincarnation makes sense to me and I wanted to share my views with as many people as I could and writing a novel seemed like a good way to achieve that.
Since 2013, when I wrote the first chapter - solely from Rowen’s POV – of Celtic Fire, I would return to this project, but never seemed to finish it. Until November 2016, when I decided to enter NaNoWriMo and force myself to finish writing a story that is so close to my heart. I put together an awesome team of alpha readers. Different from beta readers, who read a story when the author finishes it, alpha ones participate in the process. They read drafts and give feedback on plot and characters, giving authors their reactions as they read the story. It was the second time I did that and it’s one of my favorite parts of the writing process. I have fun, get to know awesome people and receive amazing feedback. These wonderful group of alpha readers helped me see Rowen, Eochaid and Caddaric’s story from a whole different perspective and I released Celtic Fire on January 31st, 2017.



Author Bio:
International best-selling author Liz Gavin, has accomplished much in her short career. Her books have made to #1 and Top Five best-selling ranks in her home country Brazil and others as diverse as Japan, the UK and the US; both in English and Portuguese, collecting 5 and 4-star reviews. Nominated for a Summer Indie Book Award in 2016, and again in 2017, this RWA member constantly seeks new opportunities to improve her craft. 
This thirst for knowledge propelled Liz to leave the comforts of family and friends in Brazil and move to California to pursue a Master’s degree in late 2015. She lives in sunny SoCal, where she’s researching the writing process, for her thesis, in hopes to figure out why she creates in English instead of her native Portuguese. 

Liz Gavin writes in contemporary, paranormal, and historical genres. In her sexy stories, one finds smart, independent women, who don’t need rescuing by knights in shining armor, but indulge in steamy action with swoony Alpha males with big hearts. She also writes about women discovering their sexuality and finding happiness in unconventional setups. 


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Book Tour + #Giveaway: Bullet Series by Jade C. Jamison @JadeCJamison @SDSXXTours


Find out why readers have dubbed Jade C. Jamison the "Queen of Rock Romance" with the complete Bullet series, described as "gritty," "raw," and "real." Realistic rock stars, real angst and heartache in this true-to-life glimpse of sex, drugs, and rock and roll.



Complete Series Buy Links:



Bullet
Bullet Series Book 1
by Jade C Jamison
Genre: New Adult, Rock Star Romance

What if you discover the man you want is toxic?
She tasted a little bit of heaven with him, and now they’ve gone through hell and back, but can their relationship take anymore?
Valerie Quinn is a naïve college freshman when she meets on-the-rise rock star Ethan Richards. He’s an idealistic, handsome, reckless young man, but he’s captured her heart. She doesn’t give up on him and eventually his walls crumble down. By the time Valerie has given herself to him completely, she discovers he’s damaged and may be beyond help. Can she save Ethan and their relationship before he implodes, or will he self-destruct and take her with him?
Yes, this is the book you've been hearing all the buzz about! 
Get it FREE on:


Rock Bottom
Bullet Series Book 2

The much-anticipated sequel to Bullet.
Rock star Ethan Richards has fought depression and a host of other demons all his adult life, and it’s caused him to lose everything—his wife, his son, his friends, and he almost loses the one thing that means the most to him—his band. He hits rock bottom and believes there is no way out.
Enter Jenna McCormick, a feisty drug and alcohol counselor, a woman with her own share of troubles. She finds Ethan intriguing but keeps him at a distance while trying to help him face life without crutches. She feels a spark but denies it, knowing that a relationship with unstable Ethan could be dangerous for both of them.
Ethan knows what he wants, though, and isn’t used to being told no. Jenna isn’t willing to risk Ethan losing his tenuous grip on sobriety, however, and is prepared to deny her deeper feelings to help Ethan climb out of his hole, but he learns how to let go of his pain when he finds that someone is prepared to walk with him through the shadows. Can he convince Jenna that they should take a chance on love or will they forever deny their feelings in an effort to keep Ethan on the straight and narrow?


Feverish
Bullet Series Book 3

To be loved by the good guy
To be f**ked by the bad boy
He’ll make you FEVERISH either way…
Clayton “Jet” Smith has enjoyed acting the part of rock star god / incorrigible bad boy since his breakup with rock goddess Valerie Quinn. He’s racking up quite a score playing the field, and he has no plans to settle down anytime soon. His biggest problem these days is meeting his obligations. He’s so busy having fun, he forgets the important things.
To help him out, he hires recent graduate Emily Brinkman to be his personal assistant, and he quickly finds a fire burning in his belly for her. There are two problems, however. The first is that Emily is engaged to be married, a fact that leaves Jet unfazed. The second problem isn’t so easy to surmount, though: Emily is disgusted and unimpressed by both sides of the man.
Will Clay find a way to persuade Emily to try him out, not just for one night, but for all time?
Feverish moves the Bullet story forward, but the book can be read as a stand alone title. You don’t want to miss this one!


Fully Automatic
Bullet Series Book 4

You might think you know rock star Brad Payne’s story, but think again. There’s so much more to his story than what Valerie knew. See Brad before Valerie came into his life and, when he was playing back burner to Ethan, see what Brad was up to when no one else in the band was looking.
Valerie might have thought she and Brad were inevitable and maybe, in the back of his mind, Brad might have felt that way too, but he didn’t just sit around waiting for her. See the secret side of Brad that you had no idea existed. What kept the driving force behind Fully Automatic focused even while his heart was breaking?
This story can be read as a standalone.


Slash and Burn
Bullet Series Book 5

Is theirs a match made in heaven…or hell?
Nick Channing, drummer for Fully Automatic, has never taken relationships seriously. He’s had fun and met dozens of women—mostly one-night stands—and he prefers it that way. From his parents to his friends, he’s witnessed love and relationships firsthand and believes women are nothing but a headache.
Nick, Brad, and Val team up again to launch her new band Val Hella. There’s one problem, though: they still need a bassist. They audition dozens of women, trying to find the perfect one and settle on Sabrina, known onstage simply as Sinna, a bad ass metal head who’s perfect for the band: pierced, tattooed, dressed in black from head to toe, and she handles her bass with precision. She is a force to be reckoned with and Nick is smitten.
When Nick gets her alone the first time to lay on the charm, he’s met with a coolness he’s never experienced. Sabrina is mysterious and thoroughly unimpressed with Nick and his behavior, and that’s when he decides he has to have her. As he falls headlong for her, he discovers her secrets, one dark shadow at a time. He thinks she loves him back, but he can’t be sure. By the time he’s completely down the rabbit hole, his heart’s so entangled, he fears he might not be able to save himself. Can she save him or will she wreck him for all time?


Locked and Loaded
Bullet Series Book 6

The FINAL book in the Bullet series.
Is it too much to believe that someone keeps returning to your life because it’s meant to be?
Zane Carson is an idealistic young man with one big skeleton in his closet when he first meets Jennifer Manders in college. They date only to break up soon after. The sexual attraction is like an electromagnet but they fight like alley cats. The relationship just isn’t worth it.
Zane’s band Fully Automatic breaks big about the same time Jennifer finishes college. One summer afternoon, they meet for coffee and sparks fly once more. It’s off again, on again, but they just can’t make it work and break it off for good, deciding it’s not worth the effort.
But Zane is drawn to her and, during a break in the music action, he tracks her down again, willing to change himself for her and needing to give her one last try. The attraction is as strong as ever, but now Jennifer is hiding something from Zane—something big, something that threatens to extinguish the spark for good. When Zane discovers her secret, will he be able to forgive her or will that be the end?


For years, Jade C. Jamison tried really hard to write what she thought was more "literary" fiction, but she found herself compelled to write what you read by her today--sometimes gritty, raw, realistic stories and other times humorous, light tales--but most of the stories she writes revolve around relationships and characters finding their way through life. While she doesn't confine herself to just one genre, nor is there a nice neat label for what she writes, most of her work could be called erotic romance. Her main writing passions include rock star romance, romantic comedy, and romantic suspense.
She lives in Colorado with her husband and four children.























Cover Reveal: Fearless by Lynne Connolly @lynneconnolly @SDSXXTours


FEARLESS 
by Lynne Connolly
Genre: Historical Romance
Pub Date: 8/22/2017

Scandal is his chosen path—until this infamous Shaw surrenders to love . . .

When Lady Charlotte Engles receives an offer of marriage from an eligible suitor, she’s finally ready to let go of her long-held hope that her engagement to Lord Valentinian Shaw will result in marriage. For despite the betrothal their families made between them, Val shows no interest in leaving his reckless life behind in favor of one with Charlotte. But when her plea to end their arrangement ends in a heated embrace, suddenly Val seems reluctant to let her go . . .

The last thing Val wants is a wife, despite how desirous his lovely bride-to-be has become. But when he discovers sweet Charlotte is planning to marry a dastardly man, he feels duty bound to keep her safe, even if that means making good on his marriage pledge. Then Charlotte is taken hostage by her dangerous suitor and suddenly Val is ready to risk everything for the woman who has won his heart ..



Lynne Connolly was born in Leicester, England, and lived in her family’s cobbler’s shop with her parents and sister. She loves all periods of history, but her favorites are the Tudor and Georgian eras. She loves doing research and creating a credible story with people who lived in past ages. In addition to her Emperors of London series and The Shaws series, she writes several historical, contemporary and paranormal romance series.













Review: SURVIVING THE FATHERLAND: A True Coming-of-age Love Story Set in WWII Germany by Annette Oppenlander @AOppenlander

Surviving the Fatherland: A True Coming-of-age Love Story Set in WWII Germany
Published: March 15, 2017
Publisher: Oppenlander Enterprises LLC
Genre: Historical, War, Military


Blurb:


Spanning thirteen years from 1940 to 1953 and set against the epic panorama of WWII, SURVIVING THE FATHERLAND is a sweeping saga of family, love, and betrayal that illuminates an intimate part of history seldom seen: the children's war.

SURVIVING THE FATHERLAND tells the true and heart-wrenching stories of Lilly and Günter struggling with the terror-filled reality of life in the Third Reich, each embarking on their own dangerous path toward survival, freedom, and ultimately each other. Based on the author’s own family and anchored in historical facts, this story celebrates the resilience of the human spirit and the strength of war children.




My Review:

Surviving the Fatherland is about two people growing up during WWII in Germany. About fathers and brothers going off to fight Hitler’s war. About the hardships that the families endured just to survive themselves. How the war affects them which results in the things they do so they can take care of and protect the ones they love.

Surviving the Fatherland is about two boys; Günter and Helmut growing up during the war with one boy, Günter watching as first his father and then his older brother leaves for war and he is left to take care of his mother and younger brother; which of course he does without question or complaining. At first they receive letters from his father and brother but after a while they hear nothing from them and have no way of knowing if they are alive or not.

A seven year old girl Lily watches as her father leaves her and her mother and little brother to go fight in Hitler’s war. Lily has to grow up real fast for a little girl with having to help her mother take care of her little brother and help with all the chores and to help find ways to get food for all of them. Lily has to face this one man who moves into their apartment building who has a very sick mind who preys on little girls. He also goes after her mother as well he is just one sick individual who uses the absence of a man in their life thinking that he can get what he wants. But Lily is a very strong and determined little girl and woman that when the opportunity hits she knows it and take advantage of it and uses what she finds against him to keep him from having any contact with her family ever again.   

Surviving the Fatherland is based on the true life events in the author’s family. Surviving the Fatherland will take you down a long hard road filled with love, courage, heartache and hardship but I am glad I was given the opportunity to have read Surviving the Fatherland. I love books where the author can make you feel what the people/characters are feeling and that is just what Annette did in Surviving the Fatherland. She makes you feel as if you are there with Lily when she is caring for her little brother. You feel as if you are right there walking right beside Günter and Helmut when they are on their way to the registration office after they are drafted.

If you have not read Surviving the Fatherland then I would like to suggest that you do. Pick up your copy today!



Author Bio:
Annette Oppenlander writes historical fiction for young adults and anyone who loves stories set in the past. When she isn’t in front of her computer, she loves indulging her dog, Mocha, and traveling around the U.S. and Europe to discover amazing histories.

"Nearly every place holds some kind of secret, something that makes history come alive. When we scrutinize people and places closely, history is no longer a number, it turns into a story."





Blog Tour: Operation Prom Date (Tactics in Dating #1) by Cindi Madsen @CindiMadsen @chapterxchapter @EntangledTeen



Operation Prom Date (Tactics in Dating #1)
by Cindi Madsen
Publication Date: March 13, 2017
Publisher: Entangled Teen Crush


Kate ships tons of fictional couples, but IRL her OTP is her and Mick, the hot quarterback she’s crushed on since, like, forever. With only one semester left of senior year, it’s now or never if she wants to land him in time for prom. Since she’s flirtationally challenged, she enlists Cooper Callihan, the guy who turned popular seemingly overnight but who used to be a good friend.

Cooper lives and breathes rowing, but his partner just broke his wrist. When he remembers Kate’s good with a set of oars, he strikes a deal: help him train, and he’ll make sure her crush notices her. Only he didn’t know how addicting spending time with her would be. Or how the more successful the Operation is, the more jealousy he experiences.

The mission has been set. The troops have their marching orders. But what if the target is the wrong guy all along?

Disclaimer: This Entangled Teen Crush book contains stargazing, accidental swimming, and poker swindling. This kissing practice will melt your ereader…and give you a new couple to ship.  




Purchase Links:






Excerpt:
 “That’s Klaus,” Kate said. “Don’t worry, he’s got a much better temperament than his namesake.”
          “Oh? And who is he named after?”
          “An original vampire. From the show The Originals? Technically he was on The Vampire Diaries first, but they did a spin off, and anyway…” She scooped up the creature as she sat on her bed. “Klaus kills for fun—the vampire. This Klaus is too lazy to do much of anything.”
          I sat next to her on the bed, still taking in her collection of figurines.
          “That’s my Funko Pop collection. I paired them up the way they should be on the shows.” She gestured at one in a green hood and the blonde figure next to him with the glasses. I realized it was from Arrow.
          “I ship Olicity the hardest.”
          “‘Ship’ them?”
          “I want them in a relationship. Like I’d put them in a ship together so they’d be forced to see they’re perfect for each other, bribe the writers to get them together, ship them. Partnership, friendship, please-God-put-them-in-a-relationship-already ship them.”
           “Oh-kay.”
          “It’s a common phrase. Oliver and Felicity are totally my OTP, which means one true pairing, if you haven’t somehow heard of that, either. I also ship Alexa and Clarke on The 100 a crazy amount, and I was pretty mad at the writers for a while, but something happened and…well, I won’t spoil it, but I might’ve teared up. Then of course there’s Stydia and Captain Swan”—she pointed at a blond figure wearing a red jacket and a goateed dude with a hook for a hand—“I used to be all about Damon and Elena, but there toward the end, I shipped her and a coffin. Which sounds mean, I know, but vampires don’t technically die, so a bit nicer?”
          “I’m still judging you too much for saying ‘ship them the hardest’ to judge you for the vampire stuff.”
          She smacked my arm and I laughed. Honestly, I was also trying to keep up with all the words she’d spouted, trying to make sense of them. We’d spent the past few afternoons on the boat, and the more time I spent with her, the more amused I was by her, even though I only understood about half of what she said.
          Klaus crawled higher on her lap and she rubbed his chin. I never knew a lizard could smile, but damned if the thing didn’t grin. Kate caught my eye. “Just call me Khaleesi, mother of dragons. Or dragon, as it were. Please tell me you at least get that reference.”
          “Game of Thrones. I’ve only read the first book, though. Okay, half of the first book, but I meant to pick it back up. But then I sort of just watched the show instead.”
          She glanced around like someone might be listening and then leaned in. “Don’t tell anyone, but I’ve never read the books.”
          I leaned a few inches closer, until I could see the different shades of green in her eyes. “Your secret is safe with me.”
          “You’re starting to have a lot of my secrets, so I certainly hope so.”
          Unexpected warmth swirled through my chest. I’d never thought I would want to be a secret keeper, but there was something about having Kate’s trust that made me proud to be one. 



Cindi Madsen is a USA Today Bestselling author of contemporary romance and young adult novels. She sits at her computer every chance she gets, plotting revising, and falling in love with her characters. Sometimes it makes her a crazy person. Without it, she’d be even crazier. She has way too many shoes, but can always find a reason to buy a new pretty pair, especially if they’re sparkly, colorful, or super tall. She loves music, dancing, and wishes summer lasted all year long. She lives in Colorado (where summer is most definitely NOT all year long) with her husband and three children.


Website • Twitter • Facebook • Goodreads • Pinterest


Giveaway:



Kate Hamilton's OTP Prize Pack, including two Funko Pops: The Green Arrow and Felicity*


*NOTE: A $20 Amazon gift card will be substituted in the place of the prize pack if the winner is international.


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Cover Reveal: Ninja Girl by Cookie O'Gorman @CookieOwrites @yaboundtourspr


Ninja Girl
Genre: YA Contemporary Romance
Release Date: March 30th 3017

Summary from Goodreads:

Seventeen-year-old Snow-Soon Lee kicks ass--literally. She teaches at her family-owned martial arts gym, The Academy, and cares more about training to be the next Bruce Lee than hooking up. In fact, Snow's never even been kissed. But when Girls Night rolls around, Snow decides to prove to her friends (and herself) that she's not just some boring tomboy. Impulsively, she kisses a hot stranger and even manages to escape his two security guards.

One stolen kiss…

Ash Stryker's senior year sucks. His politician father pulled him out of Chariot High, separating him from his championship-winning soccer team. Now he's stuck at a prissy private school with no friends, no team and no chance of being scouted. On top of that, thanks to the death threats his dad's received, Ash has a security tail aka professional babysitters. When the mystery girl from the movies shows up at his school, rappelling from the rafters, Ash knows one thing: he won't let her get away again.

One interesting job proposition…

After a seemingly random attack, Ash's mother surprises everyone. She hires Snow to be Ash's personal bodyguard until after the election. But can Snow's kick-ass skills hold up against the rising threats to Ash's family? More importantly, can Ash convince his ninja girl to screw ethics and kiss him again?

Opposites attract in this YA romance where a smooth talker meets his match in the tough girl who (literally) sweeps him off his feet. Moral of the story:

Sometimes even bad boys need a bodyguard.



About the Author

Cookie O'Gorman writes YA romance to give readers a taste of happily-ever-after. Small towns, quirky characters, and the awkward yet beautiful moments in life make up her books. Cookie also has a soft spot for nerds and ninjas. Her debut novel ADORKABLE is out now!

Author Links:
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